Release Detail

May 17, 2006 - State Government Broken And Only Spitzer Can Fix It,
New York Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll;
Faso Ahead Of Weld Among Republicans

New York State government is broken and needs to be fixed, voters say 72 - 20 percent,
and State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is the only candidate for Governor who can fix it,
voters say in a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Asked by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll which
candidate can fix New York State government, voters who agree that it is broken say:

Among New York State Democrats, Spitzer leads Suozzi 73 - 13 percent, compared
to 69 - 14 percent in a March 29 Quinnipiac University poll.
"'Eliot Spitzer is our handy man,' New York State voters say. Even Republicans
think he's the guy who can fix our broken government," said Maurice Carroll, Director of
the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"In this and every other measure, Spitzer dominates the field while Democrat
Thomas Suozzi and Republicans John Faso and William Weld are struggling for some
name recognition, just a few weeks before the party conventions."

New York State Republican voters back Faso over Weld 30 - 21 percent, with 42
percent undecided.

John Faso has a narrow lead among voters for the Republican nomination for
Governor. William Weld has much of the establishment. The cliché is that Republicans
pick conservatives. What will party leaders do at the convention?" Carroll said.

But both Spitzer and Suozzi have substantial leads over the likely Republican
contenders. Spitzer-Republican matchups show:

Gov. George Pataki gets a negative 33 - 55 percent approval rating, his lowest
ever. Republican voters split 45 - 44 percent on Pataki's approval. By a 71 - 19 percent
margin, Republican do not want the Republican Party to nominate Pataki to run for
President in 2008. Republicans say 49 - 43 percent they do not want Pataki to run for
Vice President.

A total of 39 percent of New York State voters are "very satisfied" or "somewhat
satisfied" with the way things are going in the state today, with 61 percent who are
"somewhat dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied."

"Who was that guy who vetoed all the budget stuff? New York voters are
beginning to dismiss George Pataki, both as Governor and as a presidential candidate.
Veep? Maybe," Carroll said.

From May 8 - 14, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,154 New York State registered
voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points. The survey includes 357
Republicans with a margin of error of +/- 5.2 percent, and 499 Democrats with a margin of
error of +/- 4.4 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and
nationwide as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Pataki is handling his job
as Governor?

35. (If registered republican) When the Republican party nominates its
candidate for governor, which quality do you think should be more important?
A) the candidate's ability to win the general election, or
B) the candidate's views on the issues?

REG REPUBLICANS....
Tot Men Wom

A) Ability to win 10% 16% 5%
B) Views on issues 87 83 91
DK/NA 3 2 4

38. (If registered republican) Would you like to see the Republican party
nominate George Pataki for - President or not?

REG REPUBLICANS....
Tot Men Wom

Yes 19% 18% 19%
No 71 72 70
DK/NA 10 10 11

39. (If registered republican) Would you like to see the Republican party
nominate George Pataki for - Vice President or not?

REG REPUBLICANS....
Tot Men Wom

Yes 43% 51% 35%
No 49 44 54
DK/NA 8 5 10

41. (If registered democrat) If the 2006 Democratic primary for governor were
being held today and the candidates were Thomas Suozzi and Eliot Spitzer for
whom would you vote?

42. (If registered democrat) When the Democratic party nominates its candidate
for governor, which quality do you think should be more important?
A) the candidate's ability to win the general election, or
B) the candidate's views on the issues?

REG DEMOCRATS......
Tot Men Wom

A) Ability to win 9% 7% 11%
B) Views on issues 88 90 86
DK/NA 3 3 3

43. Some people say that state government in New York state is broken and
needs to be fixed. Do you agree or disagree?